An update on PLB Extraordinary Congress

Tues. Sept. 24, 2013

Dear Editor,

As a follow up to my most recent article of August 6, 2013, concerning the sad state of football administration in Belize, and in particular that of the Premier League of Belize, kindly allow me the opportunity to update readers on where we are today with our Premiere League under the inept regime of the Don.

In a quick update to the PLB’s Extraordinary Congress held on August 8, 2013, the motion to remove the current Commissioner of the League, Mr. (Myito) Perdomo, was not passed. The motion never made it to a vote, on the basis that of the eight teams present and eligible to vote, four supported the motion and four were against it. Namely, FC Belize, San Ignacio United, Paradise Freedom Fighters and Placencia Assassins supported the motion raised to put to vote the removal of the Commissioner, as they were frustrated, disheartened and convinced that the current leadership lacks the competence needed to take semi-pro football to an acceptable level. Sadly, it seems that the leadership of the Belmopan Bandits, Police FC, BDF FC and San Felipe Barcelona did not and do not share that same sentiment, and voted against the motion.

In an interesting revelation of events, the representative from the longest standing franchise, Verdes FC, who was present at the meeting, was prohibited from voting, on the premise that she was not the “legal” representative of Verdes, even though she was authorized to be there by the Verdes management. What a classical move by the leadership of the PLB to cling to power and ensure that the majority wouldn’t support the motion to remove the Commissioner. As such, the motion never went to vote, and Don Perdomo continues in his capacity as Commissioner of the League, doing what he does best for semi-pro football in Belize…NOTHING!

At approximately 9:40 or so that night, I received the dreadful news via text message, followed by a phone call informing me that “the government killed the motion.” I was a bit fazed, but not necessarily surprised, for in my previous article I had clearly stated and cautioned that “it is my hope that individuals with possible influence over multiple teams will not derail this motion.” Sadly, my plea fell on deaf ears. I therefore asked the member of the league I was speaking to, to kindly explain what he meant by “the government had killed the motion.” He then highlighted to me the names of the four teams that had voted against the motion; namely, Belmopan Bandits, Police FC, BDF FC and San Felipe Barcelona. The “government” had killed the motion was the cry that night. The “government” here, of course, does not directly point to the Government of Belize, who I must mention had absolutely nothing to do with the killing of the motion; but the “government” here figuratively was referring to the current management of the Belmopan Bandits franchise.

Stating that the “government” derailed the motion was to highlight the fact that Police FC and BDF FC fall under the auspices of the Ministry of National Security. It also highlights an additional reality, which is that the representatives of the Police and BDF Teams have long been, and continue to be dubbed puppets, since they ultimately answer to individuals in political office and serve at their mercy. Hence, in the opinion of those present at the extraordinary congress, the “government” was instrumental in squashing the motion.

I do not believe that anyone really holds the representatives from Police FC and BDF FC responsible for their lack of fortitude in not standing for what they believe in by not voting in favor of the motion, for we all know how these things work, and ultimately one must obey his/her superior, considering the environment in which they work. What we must question, however, is their lack of courage and self respect by choosing to participate in a process that ultimately undermines football development. Rather than taking a stance and excusing themselves from the process, they chose to go down in history with those who insist on suppressing growth and development in football, rather than demand measurable results and accountability.

The assumption given as to why the San Felipe Barcelona management opted not to support the motion was simply that that management must have allegedly been convinced by the “super power” leadership of the aforementioned three teams, and also by no less than the FFB, who had flown that management to the Gold Cup at the expense and detriment of football development. It is my opinion, and I firmly believe that the San Felipe Barcelona management had no real sense of purpose at the meeting, and have no real sense of purpose for their existence in the League either. They simply showed up wanting to please the big boys and hoping for another free ride. As a result, nothing has changed, and the football community must now look forward to yet another lackluster football tournament scheduled to commence this coming weekend, September 28 and 29.

What is utterly offensive, however, is the fact that San Felipe Barcelona will not even be participating in this season’s tournament. One must ask the question, therefore, how the hell is it that last month this team was allowed to derail the process of reforming the League towards new leadership, and this month has chosen not to participate in the tournament under the very leadership it purports to support? This is utter madness; it is disgraceful and disingenuous on the part of the management of San Felipe Barcelona.

Let’s not forget that this is the same San Felipe Barcelona team who disgracefully showed up on the last week of play last season with an incomplete team versus FC Belize, with playoff hopes on the line for either FC Belize or BDF FC. This very San Felipe Barcelona team mysteriously lost 8-0, bringing the integrity of the game into question. Did anyone from the League see the need to investigate further the reason for San Felipe Barcelona to show up with an incomplete team and give up that amount of goals which, coincidentally, FC Belize needed? NO. Their action not only undermined the integrity of the game and the competition, but also violated the Fair Play Rule towards the other teams in the tournament who were expecting San Felipe Barcelona to give a respectable showing, with playoff berths on the line for other teams. Their actions warranted nothing less than a fine or a suspension; but nothing happened.

Similarly, as how no one from the League has seen the need to revisit the statutes to ensure that it adequately covers and addresses FIFA guidelines that no owner should have influence or control over multiple teams in the same competition, as it questions the integrity of the game and does not represent FIFA Fair Play Rule.

The business community has no confidence in the current leadership of the PLB. The reality or perception of their history of lack of accountability to past sponsors is haunting them, and as such it has become difficult, if not impossible, for them to secure a sponsor for yet another season.

The Premier League of Belize has evolved in a pathetic circus, and is once again the mother of all jokes within football circles in Central America. This morning, only five days before the suggested date for the start of the new season, a schedule of the weekend’s games was released. How in the world do team owners and the FFB allow this type of incompetence to continue to prevail? Not only is the schedule released five days before the tournament begins, catching everyone off guard, without any marketing of games in place, but teams were also informed that once again no sponsorship for the tournament has been secured. Team managements are now being comforted with the promise that before the season is over, the Executive will somehow miraculously secure at least thirty thousand dollars for the winner of the tournament. Good luck to the winning team if they even see half of that sum at the end of the season.

The question remains, why would anyone in the business sector put money in the hands of a regime tarnished with accusations of empty promises, has little or no accomplishment to boast about after years at the helm, and lacks financial transparency and accountability in the running of the League’s affairs? It is well known that both the Commissioner and his General Secretary are employed with distinguished and reputable companies on the Philip Goldson Highway and on Regent Street, respectively. I would therefore like to suggest to these gentlemen that they should start seeking sponsorship from within those organizations. If neither of those organizations sees it fit or sees any benefit in funding a League which is under the leadership of these gentlemen, I am baffled by the thought of how in the world would they be able to convince other entities, to which they are not associated, to do so.

I conclude by boldly stating that corporate Belize will not return to semi-pro football until the current leadership of the League resigns or is removed from office. In the meantime, let’s get ready to once again turn our Saturday nights and our Sunday afternoons into a social gathering at football stadiums, where we go to consume a little alcohol, meet social and private friends, and do a little “bird watching” on the side from the corner of our eyes instead of relishing the game that is playing on the pitch. By the way, do not forget to get the score before you leave for home.

Finally, without undermining Gilroy “the Press” Cadogan, I believe it is safe to say that this tournament’s semi-finalists will have already been determined come week four, as is slowly becoming the norm, and will comprise of those teams under the patronage of the “government” along with the resilient FC Belize team; that is, of course, if FC Belize does not follow in the steps of Placencia Assassins and San Felipe Barcelona and withdraw before the start of the season.

PS: I had promised in my last article to recount my time spent with the Football Federation of Belize to highlight some of the financial and the administrative affairs of that demagogue leadership. I felt it necessary, however, to report on the result of the League’s extraordinary congress. As such, I commit to having that article for you by mid-week of next week.

Dean W. Flowers

(Ed. Note: Needless to say, the opinions expressed are those of the letter writer, who is a former Belize National Team player and was also a manager of the Belize National Team at the Copa Centroamericana in Costa Rica in January of this year. In addition to Mr. Flowers’ “Big 4” choices, at this sports desk we believe that Verdes will be very much in contention in this Opening Season; and if the Freedom Fighters and San Ignacio United pick up enough strength from Placencia and San Felipe, they could make a run for it too. Despite the shortcomings of the PLB administration, this looks like another very competitive season.)